Neutral endopeptidase modulates substance P-induced activation of human neutrophils

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP; EC 3.4.24.11) is well recognized as a regulatory peptidase for substance P (SP)-induced responses in various tissues. To determine whether NEP regulates SP-induced activation of human neutrophils, we examined the effect of the NEP inhibitor phosphoramidon on SP-induced superoxide generation and chemotaxis in human blood neutrophils. SP (10(-6)-10(-4) M) induced superoxide generation and chemotaxis in the neutrophils dose dependently. The NEP inhibitor enhanced the SP-induced responses. Thus, phosphoramidon (10(-6) M) shifted the dose-response curves of SP-induced superoxide generation and chemotaxis of the neutrophils to the left by 0.5-0.6 log. Phosphoramidon prevented the hydrolysis of SP by the neutrophils, the NEP activity of the neutrophils being assessed as 125 +/- 13 pmol of SP/min/10(6) cells. The N-terminal peptide SP (up to 3 x 10(-4) M), which was a major degrading product by NEP of the neutrophils, did not activate the neutrophils. We conclude that NEP modulates SP-induced activation of human neutrophils.